A sample of truffles at the home of Franklin Garland, who owns Garland Gourmet Mushrooms & Truffles with his wife, Betty, in Hillsborough, N.C., Feb. 22, 2011. A conflict between Garland and Susan Rice Alexander, a truffle competitor, has gone on for years as they have sued and countersued in Orange County Civil Superior Court over business plans, trade secrets and the sale of specially inoculated trees that grow truffles on their roots. (Travis Dove/The New York Times) less

A sample of truffles at the home of Franklin Garland, who owns Garland Gourmet Mushrooms & Truffles with his wife, Betty, in Hillsborough, N.C., Feb. 22, 2011. A conflict between Garland and Susan Rice ... more

Photo: TRAVIS DOVE, STR

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﻿Houston chefs are stocking up on truffles for a cooking challenge on Jan. 12.

﻿Houston chefs are stocking up on truffles for a cooking challenge on Jan. 12.

Photo: REMY GABALDA, Stringer

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Chefs accept the challenge of the truffle

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Some of Houston's most talented chefs will do battle this month armed with one of world's most coveted ingredients. The first Houston Truffle Chef of the Year Challenge will task the chefs with preparing their best truffle-inspired dishes.

The event will be 6:30-9:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at National Tree & Shrub Nursery, 3337 Yale.

General admission tickets, which include tastings of the competing dishes, are $125. A VIP ticket that includes reserved seating and a commemorative wine glass costs $250. All proceeds will benefit students of Le Notre Culinary Institute and Houston Art Institute's Culinary Arts Program. Find tickets at roedererusa.com.

Korean barbecue

Korean/Japanese-style barbecue joint Gyu-Kaku is part of an international chain that I first tried during a recent trip to Hawaii; the original Waikiki cafe is a dive with a friendly staff and terrific food.

Gyu-Kaku opened in Midtown in April. I visited the Houston location on Christmas Eve (the restaurant is open 365 days a year) and found the experience surpassed the Hawaiian visit.

The restaurant is casual, soothingly decorated and, miraculously, smoke-free on a busy night, given that all the tables sport grills. Customers cook their choice of meats, vegetables or seafood on the tabletop grills for a social dining experience.

Don't miss the garlic noodles, the fried dumplings and the short ribs.

For New Year's Day, the restaurant is offering happy-hour pricing all day, including $2 Sapporo drafts.

Hula Mama's, which has been offering catering and on-site luaus for several years, is back in brick-and-mortar form. 19333 U.S. 59 in Humble, 281-710-7110

Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q has opened its fifth Houston-area location in Richmond. The Leon Springs-born barbecue chain sells gas, gifts and a respectable brisket. 20500 U.S. 59, Richmond, 832-757-1836

Houston-based NAM Noodles and More has opened its third store in Pearland. The quick-serve restaurant specializes in Vietnamese noodles and banh mi. 2510 Smith Ranch Road, Pearland; 713-340-2242

Mod Pizza, which specializes in individual, artisan-style pizzas, has opened its second Houston-area store. A third store will open in Pearland in March. 5777 San Felipe, 713-343-4758

Patagonia Grill & Cafe is now open and serving authentic Argentinean fare in a sleek, modern dining room. On the menu: mixed grills, ham-stuffed empanadas and dulce de leche-filled crepes. 8408 I-10, 713-468-8408

SaravanaaBhavan, part of an international chain of Indian restaurants, has opened on Westheimer at Dunvale. The restaurant specializes in vegetarian fare. 8350 Westheimer, 713-789-7755

Russo's New York Pizzeria in Bella Terra recently celebrated its grand reopening. The event marked the Italian restaurant's expansion that includes more patio seating and the addition of a full bar. 5530 W. Grand Parkway, Richmond, 281-239-6336